Iraqi Shoe Thrower Gets 3 Years In Prison

You know, I really didn't think the infamouse shoe thrower who hurled his shoes at President Bush in Baghdad would get ANY time behind bars but an Iraqi judge sentenced him to three years in prison today. Most of the article here at Breitbart is an AP writer's personal opinion woven into some of the facts but I do think this sentence is fair and I am somewhat impressed that the Iraqi court followed through in this way. Here's some of the report:

The Iraqi journalist who threw shoes at then-President George W. Bush was convicted Thursday of assaulting a foreign leader and sentenced to three years in prison, lawyers said. He shouted "long live Iraq" when the sentence was read.
The verdict came after a short trial in which Muntadhar al-Zeidi, 30, pleaded not guilty to the charge and said his action was a "natural response to the occupation."

Defense lawyers said they would appeal because they believe the action was a legitimate political protest and did not merit prison time.
"This judiciary is not just," al-Zeidi's brother, Dargham, said tearfully.
The journalist has been in Iraqi custody since the Dec.14 news conference where he threw his shoes at Bush, who quickly ducked to avoid being hit. Al-Zeidi was quickly wrestled to the ground by guards and dragged away.

Now, during this whole trial and such, I noticed that al-Zeidi never mentioned trying to throw any shoes of his at al Qaeda terrorists or Mahdi Army thugs but afterall, this guy's a journalist. I often wondered if this throwing of shoes was culturally any different than some of the rants that Keith Olbermann or Chris Matthews spewed at then President Bush.

Anyway, President Bush is sitting back in a lazy boy down in Texas and this chump is going to spend three years in a Baghdad prison - welcome to justice, son.

Iraqi journalist who threw shoes gets 3 years

Some of his relatives collapsed after the verdict and had to be helped out of court. Others were forcibly removed by security forces when they became unruly, shouting "Down with Bush" and "Long live Iraq."
Al-Zeidi could have received up to 15 years in prison for hurling his shoes at Bush last December during a joint press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
But defense lawyers said the judge showed leniency because of al-Zeidi's age and clean record. Many Iraqis consider al-Zeidi a hero for defiantly expressing his anger at a president who they believe destroyed their country after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Thousands across the Muslim world took to the streets to demand his release.
Defense lawyers said they would appeal because they believe the action was a legitimate political protest and did not merit prison time.
"This judiciary is not just," al-Zeidi's brother, Dargham, said tearfully.
The journalist has been in Iraqi custody since the Dec.14 news conference where he threw his shoes at Bush, who quickly ducked to avoid being hit. Al-Zeidi was quickly wrestled to the ground by guards and dragged away.
During Thursday's proceedings, al-Zeidi, wearing a beige suit over a brown shirt and brown leather shoes, walked swiftly to the wooden pen where defendants are kept and greeted the panel of three judges with a nod and a wave.
Presiding Judge Abdul-Amir al-Rubaie asked al-Zeidi whether he was innocent or guilty.
"I am innocent. What I did was a natural response to the occupation," the defendant replied.
The proceedings took place under heavy guard with scores of armed policemen inside the courtroom and the Iraqi soldiers who escorted al-Zeidi waiting outside.
The trial began on Feb. 19 but was adjourned until Thursday as the judges weighed a defense argument that the current charge is not applicable because Bush was not in Baghdad on an official visit, having arrived unannounced and without an invitation.
Al-Rubaie on Thursday read a response from the prime minister's office insisting it was an official visit.